[RESOLVED] Could not format partition error

Obi-Wan353 · July 3rd, 2002, 02:09 PM

Hello,

I have a peculiar problem on this little system I put together. It's a Celeron 1.1 GHz, 256 MB RAM system. Very basic, built in video and sound. I've used two motherboards, an MSI M6368L, and a Shuttle MV25N. I try to install WinXP Pro, when it reaches 100% on the format process, it says Could not format partition. I've used two different hard drive, two different motherboards, switched out the DMA cable, tried different memory, and even tried a different CD...nada. It happens every single time. Any ideas?

Thanks.

**freddy** · July 3rd, 2002, 02:19 PM

go to <a href="http://www.bootdisk.co" target="_blank">www.bootdisk.co</a> and d/load a win 98 boot disk , or use a win 98 cd , and fdisk it removing all partitions and reboot create a partition , reboot and format ,

try that and see if it works

FtF

**ephmynus** · July 3rd, 2002, 02:26 PM

try format c: /q - quick format

Obi-Wan353 · July 3rd, 2002, 02:28 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by A+Tech:
try format c: /q - quick format<hr /></blockquote>Well it's WinXP Pro so I can't try that...besides it doesn't format it, so I couldn't do a quick format anyway. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

**n8dawg** · July 3rd, 2002, 02:36 PM

have you partioned the drive? also does your bios see the full size of the drive?

**freddy** · July 3rd, 2002, 02:36 PM

can u not do as i said before use a win98 cd-rom ,

and by the way what are the 2 drives u are using?

FtF

Obi-Wan353 · July 3rd, 2002, 02:45 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by freddy:
can u not do as i said before use a win98 cd-rom ,

and by the way what are the 2 drives u are using?

FtF<hr /></blockquote>Yes I could but I don't need FAT32, I need NTFS, and the only thing that can do that is the WinXP Pro CD.

I'm using two Western Digital drives, one 20 and the other 40 GB. And yes, the BIOS does see the full size of the drive.

**freddy** · July 3rd, 2002, 03:07 PM

but it would prove if the drives were faulty , and give u an option to delete any serplus/corrupt partitions (like u prop have now after multi attempts) and then when u load the o/s it will give u the option to alter to ntfs.

At this point in time 2x boards 2 x drives 2x CDs ,,,SOMETHING is wrong ,

Humour us all and try the fat32 ,,if it passes then the prob is with your xp ,,,if it fails then u have faulty boards / drives.

u asked for opinions , and people are trying to help.

carry on with your multi-installs if u wish.

FtF

Obi-Wan353 · July 3rd, 2002, 03:18 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by freddy:
but it would prove if the drives were faulty , and give u an option to delete any serplus/corrupt partitions (like u prop have now after multi attempts) and then when u load the o/s it will give u the option to alter to ntfs.

At this point in time 2x boards 2 x drives 2x CDs ,,,SOMETHING is wrong ,

Humour us all and try the fat32 ,,if it passes then the prob is with your xp ,,,if it fails then u have faulty boards / drives.

u asked for opinions , and people are trying to help.

carry on with your multi-installs if u wish.

FtF<hr /></blockquote>Relax dude, I hope I didn't come across the wrong way in my response. I appreciate your help.

By the way, I specified a smaller partition in WinXP and it worked...now I suppose I'll have to merge partitions later. I don't know why it simply wouldn't format a larger partition.

**freddy** · July 3rd, 2002, 03:27 PM

ok , if u have to specify a smaller partition (on a 40 or 20g) then it looks that there is a prob with the partition size (ie corrupt) , and as i said before using fdisk/format @ fat 32 would/could have sorted this , and had u have loaded in fat32 u could have used the "convert" command (in a dos window) after u had set it up , or even ghosted your full setup (with drivers/progs etc) to your spare drive (proffessional only)

FtF

**NooNoo** · July 3rd, 2002, 05:27 PM

Windows XP sets a limit of 32 gig for the first partition. It can be gotten around by fdisking and formatting with either the tools that came with the drives, or with as Freddy says, a lowly win98 boot disk.

Having got the os on, you can then convert to ntfs. I have to ask though, why have one huge partition?

**freddy** · July 3rd, 2002, 06:02 PM

seem to spend more time doing simple searches , as both noo noo and i know this topic was discussed only a few days ago and i cut/pasted this , curtisy of <a href="http://www.tweakxp.com" target="_blank">www.tweakxp.com</a> :

Views: 4498 | Print Tweak | 5/27/2002

I have found a way to trick WinXP into using Partitions bigger then 32GB. I have been using a 60GB Fat32 partition on WinXP for over 4 months now and I haven't had a single problem. This is how you do it.

1 get a Win98 boot disk
2 boot from boot disk and run Fdisk
3 partition the drive to what size you want up to 120GB
4 reboot the computer off of the Win98 boot disk
5 format the drive
6 boot the computer off of the WinXP CD
7 proceed to install the WinXP.
8 When WinXP ask you what partition to install to choose the disk you just formated it will give you an several option dealing with NTFS don't pay them any mind and choose the last option which is to install WinXP to current drive without making any changes. WinXp will proceed to install normally and you will have WinXP installed to a fully functional FAT32 Partition greater then 32GB. WinXP can use larger then 32GB partitions M$ intentionally limited the Fdisk portion WinXP to push people to the Realm of NTFS.

added by myself:

then u run the convert command from a dos window.

FtF

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